When athletes search for 4 Drinks That Boost Nitric Oxide, they’re usually looking for something practical: better circulation, stronger endurance, and smarter nutritional support around training. Beet juice helped bring dietary nitrates into the sports conversation, and that was an important step forward. But today, there are several plant-based options that support nitric oxide production in different and complementary ways.
Nitric oxide itself is not something you drink. It’s a gas your body produces. When you consume dietary nitrates — naturally found in certain vegetables — your body converts them into nitrites and then into nitric oxide. That molecule plays a key signaling role in vascular tone and circulation. During exercise, this pathway supports blood flow, oxygen delivery, work capacity, and recovery between efforts.
Because nitric oxide is produced internally, what matters most is the concentration and consistency of the compounds that support its formation. Different plants contribute to nitric oxide pathways in different ways. Some supply dietary nitrates directly. Others support complementary mechanisms that help nitric oxide function effectively. Here are four worth understanding.
1. Red Spinach (Amaranthus dubius)
Among plant sources of dietary nitrates, red spinach — derived from Amaranthus dubius — ranks high in natural nitrate density. Its elevated nitrate content makes it one of the more concentrated leafy greens discussed in relation to nitric oxide production.
Red spinach is not typically consumed as a standalone juice the way beetroot is. Instead, it’s often added to juices or smoothies, which is part of why many people appreciate it. It blends easily into existing recipes without dramatically changing flavor, while still contributing meaningful dietary nitrate content.
In addition to nitrates, red spinach contains antioxidant compounds that may support vascular health during periods of physical stress. Its value lies in its ability to integrate seamlessly into a broader nitric oxide–support strategy.
2. Arugula
Arugula is one of the highest naturally occurring nitrate vegetables, often rivaling or exceeding beetroot on a per-serving basis.
Because arugula delivers dietary nitrates directly, it supports the same nitrate → nitrite → nitric oxide pathway discussed earlier. It goes particularly well in smoothies, pairing easily with citrus, apple, or watermelon while adding only a mild peppery note.
Low in sugar and easy to incorporate into daily nutrition, arugula offers a simple whole-food approach to supporting nitric oxide production through natural vegetable intake.
3. Fresh Watermelon Juice
Watermelon supports nitric oxide production through a complementary pathway. Rather than supplying dietary nitrates, watermelon is rich in L-citrulline — an amino acid the body converts into L-arginine. L-arginine then contributes to nitric oxide production through an enzymatic pathway separate from the nitrate-to-nitrite route.
Fresh watermelon juice provides a dual benefit. It supports nitric oxide production through citrulline while also delivering natural hydration and carbohydrates. That combination makes it especially useful during longer training sessions or in warmer conditions where fluid balance matters.
Because it works alongside nitrate-rich vegetables rather than replacing them, watermelon can be part of a more comprehensive nitric oxide approach.
4. Pomegranate
Pomegranate does not provide significant dietary nitrates. Instead, it supports nitric oxide availability indirectly through its polyphenol content.
Polyphenols help maintain endothelial function — the health of the inner lining of blood vessels. The endothelium plays a central role in regulating nitric oxide production and maintaining vascular responsiveness.
By supporting endothelial health and offering antioxidant protection, pomegranate contributes to an environment where nitric oxide signaling can function effectively, particularly during periods of elevated physical stress.
A Broader Perspective on Nitric Oxide Support
The phrase “four drinks that boost nitric oxide” sounds simple, but the biology behind it is layered. Some plants provide direct dietary nitrates. Others support complementary enzymatic pathways. Still others help maintain the vascular environment that allows nitric oxide to function efficiently.
Red spinach and arugula primarily contribute dietary nitrates.
Watermelon supports the citrulline–arginine pathway while also hydrating.
Pomegranate supports endothelial health through polyphenols.
Each works differently, and none needs to replace the others. A thoughtful combination of nitrate-rich vegetables and complementary plant compounds can create a more balanced and sustainable approach.
Understanding the mechanism allows you to move beyond trends and toward strategy. Nitric oxide is produced internally. The plants you choose influence that process. The more intentional the approach, the more reliable the outcome.
NutriGardens publishes ingredient science and educational research on this site to make nutrition science clearer and more accessible. Learn more at NutriGardens.com.
